Iceland Is a Mountain Bike Testing Paradise

Iceland isn’t on everyone’s bucket list for mountain biking, but with never-ending summer days, otherworldly landscapes, and plenty of singletrack, that is likely to change. This July, Colorado-based Yeti Cycles sent photographers and filmmakers Craig Grant and Joey Schusler with pro rider Sam Seward to test out a new bike and get some jaw-dropping images. They succeeded. Here, cameraman and accomplished rider Schusler shares a few of their favorite images and a taste of the MTB wonderland.

Photo: The trails in Iceland resemble something similar to the loose rocky alpine trails of Colorado. The views, however, resemble nothing that any of us had ever seen.

After shaking off the last bit of jet lag, we explored the mountainous areas not far outside of the capital city of Reykjavik and enjoyed the few rays of sunshine that we saw all week.

Photo: Joey Schusler/Yeti Cycles

With such a small population, the urban sprawl around Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik is minimal. Just a 45 minute drive from the city and you can be out on your own, riding in the wild.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

High above Skógafoss Falls and beyond the reach of the shutterbug tourist lies a primitive trail that traces the edges of the river gorge. Countless waterfalls line the edges of the gorge, filling the river with runoff from glacial ice and snow.

Photo: Joey Schusler/Yeti Cycles

Mountain biking is fairly new to Iceland and while plenty of people go there to ride annually, the infrastructure for mountain biking isn't yet fully developed. We failed a few times, but most of the time our hunt for trail was rewarded with pristine sections of singletrack, like this beautiful trail in Thórsmörk.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

A long climb out of the valley floor revealed the terrain of the Thórsmörk region. Huge glaciers have carved up wide basins filled with braided rivers giving way to ragged peaks blanketed with rich and vibrant greens. Littered within the landscape are miles of singletrack.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

Seward exploring the terrain in the Básar region of Thórsmörk in southern Iceland. The frequent rains and overcast skies kept the dirt fresh and with the midnight sun, you can ride all day.

Photo: Joey Schusler/Yeti Cycles

Overcast and surrounded by glaciers, the cool temps made for perfect riding conditions. Here, Seward is powering up one of the punchy climbs spread throughout Iceland’s unpredictable volcanic terrain.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

Seward on a section of trail on an elevated ridgeline. This trail, with views down on both sides, was spectacular and gave the rider a sense of being suspended between the two valley basins.

Photo: Joey Schusler/Yeti Cycles

The last push to the summit. This would mark our high point for the Thórsmörk portion of the trip. It’s always a good feeling to be at the top with a big burly descent ahead of you.

Seward on his way down one of Landmannalaugar’s many gems of singletrack. The riding in this region was really unmatched compared to anywhere else in Iceland in terms of speed and flow.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

The formations, colors, and smells that fill the Landmannalaugar region in the highlands of southern Iceland seem extraterrestrial in nature, but the landscape offers something very familiar—snaking ribbons of trail carved into the hillsides.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

It was necessary to stop, take a break, and look around as the natural beauty was overwhelming.

Photo: Craig Grant/Yeti Cycles

The steep volcanic pitches off the peaks in Landmannalaugar give way to the soft and undulating trails of the valley floor.

Photo: Joey Schusler/Yeti Cycles

With Iceland’s porous volcanic soil, the best time to ride is right after it rains. The tacky dirt becomes like velcro for your tires and it’s as if you are riding on rails.

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